Inflammation

Inflammation (Latin, inflamatio, to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants.[1] It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue.

In the absence of inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal and progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the organism. However, an inflammation that runs unchecked can also lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, liver cirrhosis are just to name few. It is for that reason that inflammation is normally closely regulated by the body.

Inflammation can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. A cascade of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the injured tissue. Prolonged inflammation, known as chronic inflammation, leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells which are present at the site of inflammation and is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process.

Acupuncture is incredibly effective at reducing inflammation in the body at any age. Inflammation becomes more common as we age so Chronic Systemic Inflammation is an underlying cause of many seemingly unrelated, age-related diseases[2]. Systemic inflammation can inflict devastating degenerative effects throughout the body ranging from arteriosclerosis to osteo-arthritis (Ward 1995; McCarty 1999; Brod 2000). This fact is often overlooked by the medical establishment, yet persuasive scientific evidence exists that correcting a chronic inflammatory disorder will enable many of the infirmities of aging to be prevented or reversed.

Scientists have identified dietary supplements and prescription drugs that can reduce levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines . Fish oil is the best documented supplement to suppress tumor necrosis factor-alpha[3] (TNF-a), IL-6, IL-1(b), and IL-8 (Jeyarajah et al. 1999; James et al. 2000; Watanabe et al. 2000; Yano et al. 2000). A study on healthy humans and those with rheumatoid disease shows that fish oil suppresses these dangerous cytokines by up to 90% (James et al. 2000).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the herbs that reduce inflammation fall under the category of herbs that “clear Heat”. “Heat” refers not only to fever but to any conditions that manifest with redness, swelling, or a sensation of heat. Other signs that may occur (not only locally) are: red tongue with yellow coating, thirst, rapid pulse, irritability and, depending in which organ is inflamed; the urine can be scanty and dark, or the patient may have constipation or diarrhea.

Different Chinese Herbs will target inflammation in different areas of the body like the joints in the case of arthritis or in the muscles and soft tissue with injuries or surgeries. Other herbs will target the digestion system or skin condition.

Acute inflammation in the respiratory track caused by virus or bacteria is a cold. When the inflammation is caused by allergens it is an allergy. Not everyone develops an allergy even when they are exposed to the same environment. The mucus cells become inflamed and their membranes become thin and red and secrete more mucus. Taking Chinese formula that contain “clearing heat” herbs restore the cell membrane to normal and the person will have less mucus discharge. The overreaction of the immune system subsides. Taking Chinese herbal formulas is treating not only the symptoms (runny nose) but the underlying cause (inflammation), restoring the normal body function.

Restoring the normal body function by enhancing blood circulation, boosting the immune system, helping to eliminate toxins from the body by urination and defecation or by sweating are some of the function that the body is doing on its own and stimulated by Chinese Herbs. In case of inflammation different herbs will go to different parts of the body and will address different stages of the disease. The formulas have a combination of herbs that will support digestion and combine some of those ideas at the same time. There are no side affect. The body has enormous ability to heal itself and taping into it own mechanism and enhancing them in time of disease can reverse and restore the normal function again.

From a modern biomedical perspective, these herbs have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antimicrobial functions.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can treat Chronic Systemic Inflammation in the body. No matter how the inflammation manifests (ulcers, arthritis, skin conditions, etc), Acupuncture and TCM restore normal function to help the body heal itself. Please feel free to contact me at the clinic if you have questions or wish to make an appointment.

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[1] Ferrero-Miliani L, Nielsen OH, Andersen PS, Girardin SE (February 2007). "Chronic inflammation: importance of NOD2 and NALP3 in interleukin-1beta generation". Clin. Exp. Immunol. 147 (2): 227–35. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03261.x. PMID 17223962.


[2] Cotran; Kumar, Collins (1998). Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. Philadelphia: W.B Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-7335-X.


[3] "The ability of fish oil to suppress tumor necrosis factor alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy men is associated with polymorphisms in genes that influence tumor necrosis factor alpha production." Grimble RF, Howell WM, O'Reilly G, Turner SJ, Markovic O, Hirrell S, East JM, Calder PC. American Journal Clinical Nutrition. 2002 Aug;76(2):454-9.PMID: 12145022